12/30/2007
Willem Bijmoer
For the Christmas holidays I am staying at the house of my father and mother in law.
I was browsing through some old children's books when I came across the cover of Abeltje. Since time is on my side here I can spend a good deal of time browsing and searching for things I like and that I am curious about.
The illustrator is Willem Bijmoer. His work is very recognizable for dutch children and for dutch people in general. He illustrated a lot of the books that Annie M.G. Schmidt wrote. And since she is the most popular writer of children's books in Holland for I think the second half of the century, her work is iconic. And so are the illustrators.
So, I have known this work of course. But only now have I looked it up and it turns out to be really excellent work; very fifties, but beautiful in it's technique, with characters that are alive and not as boring as they should have been for the time when they were drawn (just like the stories of Schmidt). Bijmoer also made very nice decors.
I am really into the fifties (and earlier) illustration-styles since the Charlie Harper "discovery". I am experimenting with chalk and pencil to obtain the slightly shaded effect which a lot of the illustrations from that period have. There is also a lot to discover when it comes to the use of dry brush techniques and ink styles.
I cannot post any pictures since there is a strict copyright procedure.
I was browsing through some old children's books when I came across the cover of Abeltje. Since time is on my side here I can spend a good deal of time browsing and searching for things I like and that I am curious about.
The illustrator is Willem Bijmoer. His work is very recognizable for dutch children and for dutch people in general. He illustrated a lot of the books that Annie M.G. Schmidt wrote. And since she is the most popular writer of children's books in Holland for I think the second half of the century, her work is iconic. And so are the illustrators.
So, I have known this work of course. But only now have I looked it up and it turns out to be really excellent work; very fifties, but beautiful in it's technique, with characters that are alive and not as boring as they should have been for the time when they were drawn (just like the stories of Schmidt). Bijmoer also made very nice decors.
I am really into the fifties (and earlier) illustration-styles since the Charlie Harper "discovery". I am experimenting with chalk and pencil to obtain the slightly shaded effect which a lot of the illustrations from that period have. There is also a lot to discover when it comes to the use of dry brush techniques and ink styles.
I cannot post any pictures since there is a strict copyright procedure.
12/28/2007
on authority (Max Weber)
I was trigered by this sentence when reading the final chapter of a book on the Haight Ashbury (by Charles perry):
"To that extent the Digger Crusade can be seen in terms of Weberian sociology as part of an endless conflict between charismatic and bureaucratic authority."
Somehow this conflict rings a lot of bells. I recognize it in my own work and life.
This is what a summarized piece in wikipedia says:
The sociologist Max Weber defined charismatic authority as "resting on devotion to the exceptional sanctity, heroism or exemplary character of an individual person, and of the normative patterns or order revealed or ordained by him." Charismatic authority is one of three forms of authority laid out in Weber's tripartite classification of authority, the other two being traditional authority and rational-legal authority. The concept has acquired wide usage among sociologists.
source: wikipedia
something else that sounds interesting enough to read up upon, is:
"The accepted psychological explanation of fascism was that the authoritarian personality was taught to suppress it's feelings and submit to it's superiors, on the condition that it was allowed to take out all it hostilities on underlings and outsiders"
This is a definition from Wilhelm Reich, from his book The Mass-Psychology of Fascism (Die Massenpsychologie des Faschismus). Een marxistische uitleg
This definition is clearer than any definition I have ever heard or read. It also is a huge yellow warning sign for a reoccurring fascist tendencies. Because the heart of fascism is not an old fashioned ideology but a sociological phenomenon (which can be exploited).
"Fascism is only the organized expression of the structure of the average man's character.."
I am trying to digest that. It is worth chewing on.
"To that extent the Digger Crusade can be seen in terms of Weberian sociology as part of an endless conflict between charismatic and bureaucratic authority."
Somehow this conflict rings a lot of bells. I recognize it in my own work and life.
This is what a summarized piece in wikipedia says:
The sociologist Max Weber defined charismatic authority as "resting on devotion to the exceptional sanctity, heroism or exemplary character of an individual person, and of the normative patterns or order revealed or ordained by him." Charismatic authority is one of three forms of authority laid out in Weber's tripartite classification of authority, the other two being traditional authority and rational-legal authority. The concept has acquired wide usage among sociologists.
source: wikipedia
something else that sounds interesting enough to read up upon, is:
"The accepted psychological explanation of fascism was that the authoritarian personality was taught to suppress it's feelings and submit to it's superiors, on the condition that it was allowed to take out all it hostilities on underlings and outsiders"
This is a definition from Wilhelm Reich, from his book The Mass-Psychology of Fascism (Die Massenpsychologie des Faschismus). Een marxistische uitleg
This definition is clearer than any definition I have ever heard or read. It also is a huge yellow warning sign for a reoccurring fascist tendencies. Because the heart of fascism is not an old fashioned ideology but a sociological phenomenon (which can be exploited).
"Fascism is only the organized expression of the structure of the average man's character.."
I am trying to digest that. It is worth chewing on.
12/25/2007
Boris Bilinsky
Boris Bilinsky's work for the Fritz Lang Film Metropolis
This work probably inspired by his posters but not from his hands.
12/24/2007
postcards III
okay, this one was bound to be continued: International Postcards.. mjummy
But at ridiculous prices...
New York, Barclay Vessel Building
Adolf Hitler at the grave of his mother..
But at ridiculous prices...
New York, Barclay Vessel Building
Adolf Hitler at the grave of his mother..
postcards II
Another site with postcards. This one for traders (buyers and sellers). It also contains a lot of nice old postcards. On this site I found postcards of Kapelle, where I grew up.
Other cards are of Vlissingen, which was flooded not only in 1953 (after it had been bombed to pieces in the war), but also in 1906, and of Rotterdam (before it was toen apart by the Germans). There is also on eof Cadzand, where we spent our holidays.
Other cards are of Vlissingen, which was flooded not only in 1953 (after it had been bombed to pieces in the war), but also in 1906, and of Rotterdam (before it was toen apart by the Germans). There is also on eof Cadzand, where we spent our holidays.
Phillippe Apeloig
site of Phillipe Apeloig, a french typographer/graphic designer. His work seems very classically modernistic, yet his best work is more eclectic, playful and vivid. Sometimes funny. Which I like best.
He lives in New York and France. He has worked for Total Design in Holland and with April Greiman in California.
These posts are all related to me reading the book "The Story of Graphic Design in France" by Michel Wlassikoff, which contains a lot of beautiful and often surprising (and unknown, to me) graphic design.
He lives in New York and France. He has worked for Total Design in Holland and with April Greiman in California.
These posts are all related to me reading the book "The Story of Graphic Design in France" by Michel Wlassikoff, which contains a lot of beautiful and often surprising (and unknown, to me) graphic design.
design in France
site on the history of graphic design and typography in France. The weirdest URL... untraceable. That's also french I guess
Oracle
History of the San Fransisco Oracle by one of it's founders Allen Cohen.
History of the Diggers
a bibliography of the Haight Ashbury also includes films.
History of the Diggers
a bibliography of the Haight Ashbury also includes films.
Summer of Love
Link to a PBS documentary about the Summer of Love (San Fransisco, California, 1967). As I mentioned before I am reading a good book on the Haight Ashbury scene in the sixties. I wanted to know more about this period in the history of the United States and the history of the Counter Culture. An interest I have had for as long as I can remember, but which takes on a new shape all the time (from Thompson, to beats, to anti globalists)
This documentary is a nice introduction to th hippie phenomenom (of course the book I am reading is better). The moving images are nice to see after having read so many details. For me it remains a period in time which is inspiriational. Until I imagine where all the ex hippies currently are and what they're doing. who they became, and what was left of their heritage. Also what it mutated in.
This documentary is a nice introduction to th hippie phenomenom (of course the book I am reading is better). The moving images are nice to see after having read so many details. For me it remains a period in time which is inspiriational. Until I imagine where all the ex hippies currently are and what they're doing. who they became, and what was left of their heritage. Also what it mutated in.
12/20/2007
Posters
Here are two sites of fantastic Poster Makers.
The Heads Of State and SmallStakes
Both work ina different style but in all work the clean and simple but folky style is perfectly suited for what I think is the best client list ever: Wilco, Sufjan Stevens, Gomez, Iron and Wine etc. Some of the finest bands from the US. Actually those are not the direct clients (I think the concert halls are) but nevertheless I'd be willing to offer my small toes if I'd be able to work for bands like that (en being soo good at it).
The design are extremely strong in their visual intelligence and wit.
Respect mes amies!
Wes wilson
Wes Wilson was a poster designer (graphic artist is a better word) in the famous days of '66 an '67. He designed hundreds of brilliant rock posters, mainly for the Fillmore East. His skill and style evolved at a furious pace. His posters were very sought after and immediately copied by other artists that wanted to catch on to the "new wave" in graphic arts and the "hippie" style.
May 5 1967 he designed his last poster for Bill Graham, the famous owner of the Fillmore East and rock promoter., who replaced his work for the work of lesser but cheaper gods.
"his style was imitated in L.A., Austin and London (.....) Bill Graham had already slipped in an occasional poster by another artist, so Wilson decided to demand a raise while his iron was hot. No Deal. Wilson's last poster showed a serpent with a bold dollar sign in its mouth"
from "The Haight Ashbury" by Charles Perry, 2005 (which I am currently reading of course)
This Site shows some pretty examples of his work.
This site sells them for an amount of money that Wilson would have laughed at when he printed them. They sell beautiful items though.
pictures copyright wes wilson, taken from http://www.collectable-records.ru/images/post/wilson/
May 5 1967 he designed his last poster for Bill Graham, the famous owner of the Fillmore East and rock promoter., who replaced his work for the work of lesser but cheaper gods.
"his style was imitated in L.A., Austin and London (.....) Bill Graham had already slipped in an occasional poster by another artist, so Wilson decided to demand a raise while his iron was hot. No Deal. Wilson's last poster showed a serpent with a bold dollar sign in its mouth"
from "The Haight Ashbury" by Charles Perry, 2005 (which I am currently reading of course)
This Site shows some pretty examples of his work.
This site sells them for an amount of money that Wilson would have laughed at when he printed them. They sell beautiful items though.
pictures copyright wes wilson, taken from http://www.collectable-records.ru/images/post/wilson/
12/19/2007
Paul Davis
Paul Davis kicks ass.
This Paul Davis is quite good aswell
Paul Faassen is not bad either
Though it's a bit too obvious which Paul imitates the other Paul.
It seems there's a lot of Paul Davisses. If they are all illustrators...pfew. That would be the day....
To buy a rope.
This Paul Davis is quite good aswell
Paul Faassen is not bad either
Though it's a bit too obvious which Paul imitates the other Paul.
It seems there's a lot of Paul Davisses. If they are all illustrators...pfew. That would be the day....
Distribution of Paul Davis Listings across the United States
To buy a rope.
postcards I
Nice site with hundreds of old postcards (penny cards). All from New York State.
Mainly architecture and landscape photo's Pre-1950
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